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DEVELOPMENTAL 
MILESTONES.

An abbreviated guide to typical development

Pediatric Developmental Milestones

The following tables are offered to help parents identify where their child is functioning along the continuum of typical development. Because occupational and physical therapists focus on the whole child, developmental markers are provided for the categories of gross motor, fine/visual motor, self-help, and play. If your child does not appear to be achieving the milestones for his/her age, feel free to reach out to us to discuss whether an evaluation would be appropriate.

Initiating an Evaluation

To initiate the evaluation process please contact us or call (202) 244-8089 and a therapist will discuss your child's specific needs.

By Age 6 Months    

Play Skills

  • Makes eye contact

  • Responds to name

  • Interested in faces, voices and toys

  • Likes peek-a-boo

Fine Motor/Visual Motor Skills

  • Holds rattle for 27 seconds

  • While on back, tracks toy 45 degrees to each side

  • While on back, extends straight arms toward toy

Gross Motor Skills

  • Elevates head/upper trunk, bears weight on forearms

  • Brings hands to midline with head at midline

  • Rolls from back to both right and left sides

  • Kicks legs simultaneously forward and backward

Self-Help Skills

  • Can hold bottle or cup for feeding

By Age 12 Months    Can perform the skills in the previous age group in addition to the following...

Play Skills

  • May imitate sounds, gestures or actions to get attention

  • Emerging pretend play with real-life objects

Fine Motor/Visual Motor Skills

  • Bangs toys together at midline

  • Transfers toys from one hand to the other

  • Claps hands

  • Extends arm/hand to retrieve a toy

Gross Motor Skills

  • Raises to and bears weight on open palms and knees

  • Stops fall by extending arms backwards

  • Lowers to sitting position without falling

  • Creeps forward on hands/knees with opposing movement 6 feet

  • Creeps on hands/knees over adult's legs

Self-Help Skills

  • Feeds self small pieces of food

By Age 18 Months    Can perform the skills in the previous age group in addition to the following...

Play Skills

  • Engages with toys for manipulation and exploration

  • Enjoys rolling balls back and forth with adults

  • Points at objects or people

Fine Motor/Visual Motor Skills

  • Uses pincer grasp or thumb and middle finger to grasp small objects

  • Uses fisted grasp on tools

  • Scribbles

Gross Motor Skills

  • ​Can squat to secure a toy

  • Walks 8-10 steps independently

  • Walks 10 feet using a reciprocal pattern

  • Maintains balance while throwing tennis ball 

  • Scoots up steps on hands/knees

Self-Help Skills

  • Removes socks

  • Cooperates with dressing

  • Indicates diaper is soiled

By Age 2    Can perform the skills in the previous age group in addition to the following...

Play Skills

  • Copies others, especially adults and older children

  • Parallel play (plays mainly beside other children but is beginning to include other children)

  • Points to things or pictures when they are named

  • Follows simple instructions (up to 2 steps)

Fine Motor/Visual Motor Skills

  • Might use one hand more than the other

  • Builds towers of 3-5 blocks

  • Completes simple shape puzzle

Gross Motor Skills

  • Stands on one foot with hand held

  • Creeps backward down steps without support

  • Walks up 5 steps with support

  • Walks down 4 steps with support

  • Kicks ball forward 3 feet

Self-Help Skills

  • Drinks from glass or cup without much spilling

  • Gets spoon in mouth right side up without much spilling

  • Takes off pants, socks, and shoes

  • Assists with dressing

  • Drinks with straw

By Age 3

Can perform the skills in the previous age group in addition to the following...

Play Skills

  • Identifies body parts

  • Can sort shapes and colors

  • Plays simple make-believe games

  • Copies others

Fine Motor/Visual Motor Skills

  • Imitates 2" vertical line top to bottom

  • Makes horizontal line 2-3" long

  • Copies block designs with 3-4 blocks

  • Snips paper with scissors

  • Strings large beads on a lace

Gross Motor Skills

  • Balances on toes with arms overhead

  • Balances on a line heel to toe

  • Jumps forward with both feet 12-15"

  • Walks backward 10 feet

  • Throws ball underhand 3-5 feet

  • Uses step-kick pattern to kick stationary ball 7 feet

Self-Help Skills

  • Uses spoon and fork to self-feed

  • Dresses and undresses with assistance for fasteners

  • Unzips coat

  • Washes hands with minimal assistance

By Age 4

Can perform the skills in the previous age group in addition to the following...

Play Skills

  • Engages in cooperative play with other children

Fine Motor/Visual Motor Skills

  • Consistent hand preference

  • Draws a cross

  • Laces string in holes

  • Cuts along a 5" line

  • Cuts paper in half

  • Traces a line within 1/4"

Gross Motor Skills

  • Runs 30 feet in 4 seconds or less

  • Balances on 1 foot for 3-5 seconds

  • Runs and stops within 2 steps without falling

  • Catches playground ball without trapping

  • Stops a rolled ball with one foot

  • Uses a step-throw pattern to throw overhand 10 feet

Self-Help Skills

  • Dresses and undresses without much help

  • Buttons and unbuttons large buttons

  • Puts on shoes independently

By Age 5

Can perform the skills in the previous age group in addition to the following...

Play Skills

  • No new skills

Fine Motor/Visual Motor Skills

  • Cuts out simple shapes

  • Copies a square

  • Colors with regard to boundaries

  • Uses a tripod grasp

  • Attempts to form letters

  • Copies block designs with 6 blocks

Gross Motor Skills

  • Gallops

  • Uses climbing equipment on the playground

  • Balances on one foot 5-8 seconds

  • Stands on one foot with eyes closed

  • Jumps over 10" hurdle

  • Hangs from the monkey bars

  • Pumps a swing

  • Throws a small ball underhand 10 feet

Self-Help Skills

  • Can snap/unsnap

  • Buttons and unbuttons small buttons

  • Brushes teeth independently

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